Heat on Pete but he'll be cool: Rogers

Facing the axe for the first time in his Test career, Peter Handscomb will handle the heat methodically and with maturity, according to former state teammate Chris Rogers.

Handscomb has passed 50 in just one of his nine first-class knocks since the start of the season, with speculation building he will be dropped in favour of allrounder Mitch Marsh for the third Ashes Test that starts at the WACA on Thursday.

Marsh has been added to the Test squad and could play in Perth, especially if the pitch is flat and selectors are worried about the frontline quicks' workloads.

There were no complaints about Handscomb's unorthodox technique when he posted two Test tons during last summer, having debuted in Adelaide amid an overhaul of the XI.

But scrutiny has built with every dismissal in the ongoing Test series.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Handscomb has lost trust in his game.

Handscomb has been pinned lbw twice during the series, managing scores of of 36, 12, and 14 against England while batting deep in his crease.

It is the first time the 26-year-old has been under the pump during a 12-Test career.

The right-hander has otherwise been widely praised having helped salvage a draw against India earlier this year in Ranchi. He scored 82 in oppressive Chittagong humidity that left him dizzy, dry retching, severely dehydrated and 4.5 kilograms lighter.

"Pete's a very down to earth guy. He'll know there is pressure and that if the selectors thought they maybe need an extra bowler, his is the spot up for grabs," former Test opener Rogers told AAP.

"He'll be thinking, 'I've only had three hits so far and I haven't disgraced myself and I deserve another chance, but it's up to the selectors'. He'll be fairly realistic."

Rogers watched Handscomb start his first-class career with Victoria from the non-striker's end in 2011, where he was impressed with the then 20-year-old's composure.

Maturity remains Handscomb's greatest trait, according to Rogers.

"And how he uses it to figure out problems," Rogers said of Victoria's captain, who has been touted as a potential future Test skipper.

"Every batsman goes through ups and downs. I back him to figure out the answers quicker than most people."

National selector Mark Waugh expressed similar sentiments on Friday, calling Handscomb "mentally strong".

Speaking after the first Test in Brisbane, Handscomb noted he's "batted deep in my crease for three years".

"I am not really that concerned," he said. "I batted deep last year and managed to hit balls on the stumps and made lots of runs.

"I know I get out lbw and bowled, that's why I have tried to change a few things with my technique."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21